Taste sensations a best cellar

IT'S time to rug-up and enjoy some southern hospitality, says Craig Malin, as he previews the gourmet treats of McLaren Vale's annual Sea and Vines Festival.

Fun for all ... the festival is children-friendly with special menus and activities on offer for the little ones. Picture: Coriole Vineyards

THERE are few better ways to spend a wintry afternoon than propped up by an open fire with a glass of red and a gourmet lunch.

That's the attraction for the 35,000 or so people who will head down to McLaren Vale for the annual Sea and Vines Festival next weekend.

On June 10-11, about 24 cellar doors present their best wines while chefs serve up some amazing dishes.

"People ask why we hold the festival in winter when it can be cold and rainy,' said Sandie Holmes, of McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism Association.

"But there's no better time to drag yourself off the couch and come to McLaren Vale, where nearly all the wineries have open fires or braziers.

"It's all part of the fun. There's nothing nicer than getting rugged up and sipping on a red in front of the fire.''

The wineries have special menus with gourmet seafood delights and non-seafood dishes, all served with a live-music side dish ranging from smooth jazz to rockabilly.

With all this temptation, many people avoid the booze bus by hiring a bus with friends or spoiling a loved one with a romantic limousine trip. But the festival also has a designated driver promotion to ensure everyone gets home safely.

"Designated drivers get freebies at the wineries - a free dessert or coffee, or a discount on a bottle of wine,'' Sandie said.

They also go into the draw for a prize of a weekend at Wine and Roses B&B, dining at Awganix Brasserie and a dozen premium McLaren Vale wines, which makes a weekend as a chauffeur seem worthwhile.

Sandie said many of the wineries also had great activities for kids and for parents worried how their five-year-old would react to a menu with such goodies as chermoula-spiced barramundi with hummus and braised eggplant, the wineries also had menus for the youngsters.

There are dozens of highlights at the festival, but here is a taste:

Sweet music

FOR those in town Saturday night, Fab Four will bring the Beatles to life at a special dinner at Leconfield Winery. Playing at Wirra Wirra will be Silverhair - not the Aussie rockers, but a cover band - and at Parri Estate, catch Adelaide party band Hairy Lemon.

Non-stop bop

IF you like that ol' type of rock'n'roll, head to Tintara Winery for a display of hot-rod cars and a demonstration of swing dancing, then get your own dancing shoes on with live rock music and dance all day.

Art and about

WHILE at Tintara, check out the Dridan Fine Arts special Sea & Vines Exhibition featuring Silvio Apponyi solo sculptures, plus paintings by local artists.

Contented kids

IF you're there early with the kids, take them to the Blue Light and Red Dot Disco at Penny's Hill on Friday night. The restaurant is open for the grown-ups, while the kids aged eight to 12 can bop away at the disco.

Parri Estate has pony and camel rides, an animal nursery and sand pit. Pirramirra has art workshops, while Tintara has a variety of undercover games.

What's new

CLARENCE Hill celebrates the opening of its new cellar door.

Taste test

THERE'S so much to chose from on the food front. Here are two ideas: d'Arenberg has marquees on the lawn with meals by d'Arry's Verandah Restaurant, twice winner of SA's best winery restaurant award. Or, at Pirramimma, local cafe Red Poles will be serving a feast of Coffin Bay oysters with an array of dressings and tempura whiting.

Sunday Mail